Title: Advent Blue
Author: Roland Allnach
Publisher: Tabalt Press
ISBN: 978-0996785471
Pages: 381
Genre: Science Fiction
Reviewer: Alyssa Avina

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In author Roland Allnach’s futuristic sci-fi thriller, Advent Blue, readers meet our protagonist, Will Fortner. Fortner is a reclusive data manager who works for a global tech conglomerate of what is known as the Choice Institute. At the Choice Institute, they use a particular system called The Map which predicts what people will do before they actually do it. Throughout this novel, Fortner has a complicated relationship with his occupation as he feels it isn’t always truly in his client’s best interests to interpret this data the way he does. The map predicts the future to an alarmingly-accurate degree which ultimately makes Fortner question if this is truly what he wants to continue to do with his life.

While he has become considerably wealthy from his career, he has become cynical and grown feelings of disdain towards the world which affects his views on society and how he interacts with those around him. It is also attributed to his paranoia over the future potential apocalypse. It becomes even more daunting when Will discovers not all is what it seems at his company and they may be looking more into its employees and their own futures than he previously realized.

When the AI known as Emma begins to train Will for an incredibly important assignment, he also must host a companion named Mirai Redwater who is clever and direct with Will. Redwater sees he was manipulated by his former lover and becomes a trusted ally for Fortner. He must decide, though, if he should proceed with his assignment, knowing that the Choice Institute is up to something nefarious that will alter humanity as we know it, or if he should go against the grain and choose his conscience above all else.

This is an addictive, thrilling read that has you questioning Will Fortner’s next move and how he will proceed with his mission all throughout this story. It also touches upon social issues relevant to today including the manipulation of society through social media, and AI as well, as corporate greed and how it affects our daily lives. Even the way the author touched on the issues involving invasion of privacies and corrupted governments was poignant and thought-provoking. To say it was a page-turner would be the understatement of the century and I know I can’t be alone in eagerly waiting to read a sequel to this incredible story. Run, don’t walk, and pick up your copy of Advent Blue by Roland Allnach today!